Bonnet popping open at own free will

TR75 · 12th January 2014, 17:41

As title suggests, my bonnet catch is releasing the bonnet when it feels like it. Always happens when I am driving and can be any speed and road condition. Often happens when driving at 70mph on the dual carriageway but happened this morning when driving at 25mph down a side street.

Does my whole catch mechanism need replacing or can something be adjusted? Any ideas gratefully received.

75Connie · 12th January 2014, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR75

Does my whole catch mechanism need replacing or can something be adjusted? Any ideas gratefully received.

If not already done, get the bonnet release cable modification done, coupled with adjustment of the two locking mechanisms left and right of centre of the bonnet, and have everything greased up well.

It started for me on French Autoroutes just South of Calais with 2000 miles ahead of me before I could get it fixed. Nervewracking!!!

COLVERT · 12th January 2014, 19:48

Try and get some oil into the operating cables.

If dry they might open the catches to the bonnet but might not then spring back when you release the lever. Just too much internal friction.

whitevanman · 12th January 2014, 20:19

Mine wouldn't click back in place and it was the catches not coming fully out, 20mins with first WD40 & then some grease had them sorted..Problem being it happened when SHMBO was driving and her answer was to keep continually slamming the bonnet and putting more and more pressure on it..

Suffice to say we need a new bonnet at some point in the future..

So that'll be F/R bumpers, boot & bonnet..and a few small dents in the rest of the panels. Oh and the sills are dented too...

Don't think it's going to happen tbh...I'll just get a nice tourer and ban her from driving it..

MangoMan · 12th January 2014, 20:33

Also try loosening off the bolts on the catches on the Slam Panel. You should see the catch-slider close properly, or pop out to where it should be.

planenut · 18th January 2014, 10:01

As an interim, after applying all the lubrication, the release cable passes below the opening for the safety catch; I manipulate this with a small open ended spanner and the "half moons" slide back out. This is until I can take the whole lot out and service them.

MangoMan · 18th January 2014, 10:09

As I said in my previous post, did you try and loosen the nuts either side of the latches on the slam panel? The half moons usually get stuck because these are too tight..... Just loosen them off slightly until they pop out.

See Pic:

NB. You know sometimes it would be nice, if not polite, if we get some 'feedback' after giving some advice/suggestions...???

TR75 · 5th February 2014, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MangoMan

As I said in my previous post, did you try and loosen the nuts either side of the latches on the slam panel? The half moons usually get stuck because these are too tight..... Just loosen them off slightly until they pop out.

NB. You know sometimes it would be nice, if not polite, if we get some 'feedback' after giving some advice/suggestions...???

You are quite right... after taking the time to reply, feedback is the very least, polite and considerate. I am sorry this hasn't been done until now, but I've been very busy over the last few weeks.

The problem seemed to subside... Until today!!

On a 22 mile journey to work I stopped a mere 18 times to push the bonnet back down. The mix of the 70mph winds and A roads is obviously too much for the catches.

Thank you one and all for replying. I will get onto this tomorrow evening after work and let you all know how I get on.

TR75 · 6th February 2014, 20:11

Just wanted to provide an update on this...

After braving the battering wind and rain I went out to try and fix the problem of the bonnet lifting. I know it was bad because I could just lift the bonnet off the catch by hand without pulling the lever.

Greased everything up with generous amounts and loosened those bolts by about a half turn and it doesn't budge at all now. The real test will be going up the dual carriageway tomorrow, particularly if against the wind but I think this one is hopefully now sorted.

Thank you very much to those people who provided advise. Another rather frustrating problem solved thanks to the expertise and kindness of the forum.

MangoMan · 6th February 2014, 21:30

Let's hope it's sorted.

12th January 2014, 17:41	#1
TR75 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Launceston Posts: 1,567 Thanks: 169 Thanked 166 Times in 134 Posts	Bonnet popping open at own free will As title suggests, my bonnet catch is releasing the bonnet when it feels like it. Always happens when I am driving and can be any speed and road condition. Often happens when driving at 70mph on the dual carriageway but happened this morning when driving at 25mph down a side street. Does my whole catch mechanism need replacing or can something be adjusted? Any ideas gratefully received. __________________ You've just been ROVERtaken

12th January 2014, 20:19	#4
whitevanman This is my second home 2001 Connie SE CDT, 2002 2.0Petrol Laguna SportHatch Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Althorne Posts: 3,122 Thanks: 319 Thanked 441 Times in 318 Posts	Mine wouldn't click back in place and it was the catches not coming fully out, 20mins with first WD40 & then some grease had them sorted..Problem being it happened when SHMBO was driving and her answer was to keep continually slamming the bonnet and putting more and more pressure on it.. Suffice to say we need a new bonnet at some point in the future.. So that'll be F/R bumpers, boot & bonnet..and a few small dents in the rest of the panels. Oh and the sills are dented too... Don't think it's going to happen tbh...I'll just get a nice tourer and ban her from driving it.. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Today the 23rd of April I will mostly be: Kids, bikes, dog, kids, bikes, dog...Seems to be a pattern forming here Car: Connie SE CDT Manual, Mods: O-Rings, Silicon intercooler hose, Stainless EGR Bypass, BMW PCV Mod, 160 Upgrade, DD Unit, Projector Headlights, Powerflex Bottom Mount, Remote Clutch reservoir, SS Compensator; Inline Stat To Come: cat gut (when replacing iffy section). Meteors after refurb..

12th January 2014, 20:33	#5
MangoMan This is my second home Looking.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 10,911 Thanks: 862 Thanked 1,111 Times in 868 Posts	Also try loosening off the bolts on the catches on the Slam Panel. You should see the catch-slider close properly, or pop out to where it should be. __________________ *Regards, Bill - (MangoMan).* (Member 00854) http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original

18th January 2014, 10:09	#7
MangoMan This is my second home Looking.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 10,911 Thanks: 862 Thanked 1,111 Times in 868 Posts	As I said in my previous post, did you try and loosen the nuts either side of the latches on the slam panel? The half moons usually get stuck because these are too tight..... Just loosen them off slightly until they pop out. See Pic: NB. You know sometimes it would be nice, if not polite, if we get some 'feedback' after giving some advice/suggestions...??? __________________ *Regards, Bill - (MangoMan).* (Member 00854) http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original Last edited by MangoMan; 18th January 2014 at 10:11..

6th February 2014, 20:11	#9
TR75 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Launceston Posts: 1,567 Thanks: 169 Thanked 166 Times in 134 Posts	Just wanted to provide an update on this... After braving the battering wind and rain I went out to try and fix the problem of the bonnet lifting. I know it was bad because I could just lift the bonnet off the catch by hand without pulling the lever. Greased everything up with generous amounts and loosened those bolts by about a half turn and it doesn't budge at all now. The real test will be going up the dual carriageway tomorrow, particularly if against the wind but I think this one is hopefully now sorted. Thank you very much to those people who provided advise. Another rather frustrating problem solved thanks to the expertise and kindness of the forum. __________________ You've just been ROVERtaken

12th January 2014, 19:48	#3
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Try and get some oil into the operating cables. If dry they might open the catches to the bonnet but might not then spring back when you release the lever. Just too much internal friction.

18th January 2014, 10:01	#6
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,955 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	As an interim, after applying all the lubrication, the release cable passes below the opening for the safety catch; I manipulate this with a small open ended spanner and the "half moons" slide back out. This is until I can take the whole lot out and service them.

6th February 2014, 21:30	#10
MangoMan This is my second home Looking.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 10,911 Thanks: 862 Thanked 1,111 Times in 868 Posts	Let's hope it's sorted. __________________ *Regards, Bill - (MangoMan).* (Member 00854) http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original